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ELECTRIC CRAYON SET_Laughing In The Clou
ELECTRIC CRAYON SET
Laughing In The Clouds
(2019 - Psychotron Records  - UK)

https://store.cdbaby.com/cd/electriccrayonset

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j7CfLZX2xqI&list=OLAK5uy_mbbeg1KNx_gp0-W-xDUa9lxXJhvaSKs-Q

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2jAKTPo4mYk&list=OLAK5uy_mbbeg1KNx_gp0-W-xDUa9lxXJhvaSKs-Q&index=10

The first song sounds like a cross between the UK progressive rock band England, the Aussie prog rock band Airlord, XTC, and Split Enz. How is that for an introduction?  The vocals are beautifully done both in lead and multi harmonies. If you are familiar with this Finnish multi-talented band, then you already know the skill level they possess. If not, by the end of this album you will. The second track ("Dreams of the Rain") gives a definite nod to The Beatles, (think Strawberry Fields Forever) and the listener begins to grasp the circles this group operates in. A fine mix of nostalgic psychedelic, Brit pop, incense and peppermint flavored flower child daze, and that touch of progressive rock that tends to bring it all together.

Their previous album 'What a Rotter of a Day' (2007) gave a hint of things to come, however this 3rd full length took them around six years to finalize. Also, the evolution from their debut 'One Man's Trash' (2001), which had a flow of soul, blues, psychedelic, and stood firm in the plentiful pop world, has gotten even broader. The use of some guest vocalists like Vilma Paakko (on 'Calling on the Cards') bring even bigger flavors. 'Ignis Fatuus' (track #4) takes you back to the 70's rock stylings of Ten Years After/Sugarloaf/Spooky Tooth, in those tripping times. You may even hear some Rolling Stones influence on a cut or two. Then you have 'After the Show' that defines any particular comparison in it's offbeat frame. That song features guests Katariina and Veera Lohiniva on vocals. Needless to say the sequence of songs is well done here. The music spreads a walkway that is both rocky, smooth, strange, and unpredictable. A great listen, in other words.

'Moonlit Graveyard, Pt. 1 & 2' brings the album to it's finale. A strange but beautiful mixture of Blood Sweat & Tears (without the horns), Jethro Tull, offshoots of Cardiac members, baroque pop, and proto progressive rock. It has everything a music lover could want. Strings, nice vocals, harmony and changes like Moody Blues at their most adventurous, and some mellotron Beatles style. First listen gives a person quite a surprise of throwback music and how well it is performed. It is tough to put a label in it, and no real need to. The assortment of music Electric Crayon Set bring together like a wondrous collage is what makes 'Laughing in the Clouds' a winner. The cover art expresses what is inside extremely well. With a total time of 43:58, and members including Timo Paakko (Guitar, Vocals), Seppo Tyni (Bass, Guitar), and Timo Lilja (Drums), with guests (some already mentioned) Pekka Tyni plays cembalo on 'Moonlit Graveyard', Juha Kormano plays the guitar solo on the title track 'Pete Is Laughing In The Cloud.'  For older progressive fans, you will be interested to know both Seppo and Pekka Tyni played on some of Pekka Pohjola's (RIP) music who was originally known best as member of another famous Finnish band Wigwam (on Love Records), then went on to make a catalog of fantastic solo albums.

What Electric Crayon Set have done with this third album is show the world how great they are, and that they have the ability to write many styles of music all with the same high quality. It is available in different colors of vinyl, and of course download. The CD is a promo version but whatever format you buy, the music plays just as great. You will not have a chance to get bored. RECOMMENDED.

  ©Reviewed by Lee Henderson 1 - 31 -2020

     


 
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ACQUA FRAGILE
Moving Fragments
(2023 - Maracash - Italy)


https://maracashrecords.bandcamp.com/album/moving-fragments


  A group who have the uncanny talent of keeping their classic  sound along with staying up tpo date. This amazing return is from 1970's Italian progressive rock outfit, with frontier man lead vocal Bernardo Lanzetti, who made this band and some PFM albums so specifically brilliant. At this decade, to expect more beauty would be a fantasy, yet it is set before your ears, even with the first notes, this masterpiece of Italian, (and not only Italian) progressive rock that certainly grasps the notion of what the genre of "progressive" was always meant to be. ACQUA FRAGILE create another sweetly classic knockout recording, not with even a heavy breath of past to present effort.  In fact, it sounds and feels more authentic than ever.  Bernardo sounds as if he never aged a week, and all muscians present are at full force, not passing up the chance to make another massively classic album.   An album to put Acqua Fragile at the top of the few chosen progressive rock choices of all time. The first song ('Her Shadlows Torture' 05:52 - editors note:  A misspell on the 'Shadows' which is on Bandcamp at this writing - but is correct as 'Her Shadow's Torture' on physical CD)  hug you and give all relief, as to any possible doubts of a long awaited fourth album by this top notch Italian band. I claim it will leave your heart lay bleeding. Grab the spectral energy and enjoy a glimpse of beautiful cocoon birth.

  Not one song is with sacrifice, even a wink of lamb. In fact, some elements are added to further enchance and stun the audience, such as inclusive female vocals by Rossella Volta. The bulk of the outfit is Piero Canavera (drums, percussion, vocals),  Franz Dondi (bass), Bernardo Lanzetti (lead vocals, guitar, Glovox),  Stefano Pantaleoni (keyboards),  Claudio Tuma (guitars), with special aid by (aforementioned vocalist Rosella Voita) ,  Gigi Cavalli Cocchi - drums (1,6),  Sergio Ponti - drums (4,9), Stef Burns- guitar (2),  Brian Belloni - guitar (4),  Davide Piombino - 7 string guitar (5),  and David Jackson - sax & flute (6). Could you ask for more?   After one listen you cannot want more. Thank Maracash label (Italy) for standing behind so many great Italian artists who have done the blood, sweat, and tears in earlier years, and deserve the attention now.
Although the band name translates to 'Fragile Water', it might be better described as Precious Water at this point and time in our decreasingly cared for world. Perhaps even better, Rare Water. The beauty of this entire recording is apparent, true, sincere, and a step forward. Better than one would dream of, past the point of how all old fans could imagine, and  actually done in the upper atmospheres of what anyone could have dreamed of. Everyone is top notch and most of all, Lanzetti is 100% present, making it another masterpiece.  It is my deep recommendartion for all fans of both classic progressive rock and the new fields of progressive music to give this a direct and full attention (no distractions) listen. RECOMMENDED.
  ©Reviewed by Lee Henderson 1 - 19 - 2024


 

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